Ever stood in a crowd of three quarters of a million people chanting in unison to demand peace and equality for their nation? No? You should try it, I would definitely recommend it.

On January 21st, almost three million people joined together across the US to take part in the Women’s March, the largest protest in American history and I’m proud to say, I was with them.

In the days leading up to the march, the organisers in Los Angeles told me they were expecting 40,000 people. It sounded reasonable; LA isn’t necessarily known for its activism these days, and the march was taking place in the difficult-to-get-to Downtown area.

Advertisement

But on Saturday morning, the estimated attendance was up to 250,000. By the end of the day, it was given as 750,000. Three quarters of a million men, women and children turned out early on a weekend without so much as the promise of a free drink to peacefully demand equal rights for women. To protect Obamacare and the right to abortion. We marched for the those living under the threat of a Muslim register, for immigrants, for gay rights, to show that black lives matter and for the trans men and women who can’t use a public bathroom in peace. And even though there were so many causes to defend, more than it’s possible to list here, nothing felt impossible.

Crowds can turn ugly. But across all the marches, not one single arrest has been reported

Before we arrived downtown, I was worried. I don’t like big crowds, Glastonbury festival is my own personal idea of hell and crowds can turn ugly very quickly. But across all the marches, not one single arrest has been reported. The crowd was enormous, almost inconceivably so, but it was also good natured and supportive. People helped each other down slippery slopes and steps, they hugged strangers when they became overwhelmed and I overheard more than one teenager explain the proliferation of ‘Feminist AF’ t-shirts to their parents.

Getty Images

Advertisement

One of the most moving sights was the sea of pink pussycat hats meant to send a clear message back to Washington. 'Donald, keep your hands to yourself'. And then there were the signs suggesting Lord Voldemort would make a better president than Mr. Trump. Imagine being less popular than a fictional mass murdering, genocidal wizard?

Happily, Los Angeles wasn’t alone in its epic turnout. In towns and cities across America and the world, people marched to show their solidarity. There was even a 30-strong march in Antarctica where women brandished signs declaring ‘penguins for peace’ and ‘seals for science’.

In DC, Kasia Kowalczyk joined half a million women to make her voice heard. "When we reached the mall, tears swelled in my eyes," she said. "Everywhere you looked there were thousands of women and it literally felt like a sea of change."

Read next

This is exactly what feminism means to YOU (and it might just surprise you)

First things first: are you a feminist? I know, a no-brainer, right? Wrong.

1 day ago

"I expected a large crowd, but when I saw the size of it, I burst into tears. I felt like we will be OK."

Advertisement

On the other side of the country, Kari Torson put aside her anxieties and marched in Portland, Oregon. "As someone who's never publicly protested, stepping onto the Tom McCall Waterfront Park and holding my 'Non-Compliant' sign felt like stepping naked onto a stage, jumping off and trusting others to catch me," Kari joked. "But ultimately it was like walking into a giant group hug of solidarity. I was immediately welcomed with smiles, nods, and even a high five."

Back in LA, Australian-born US citizen, Kevin Dickson told me felt he had to march. "This presidency sees basic human rights as something they have the power to destroy. I expected a large crowd, but when I saw the size of it, I burst into tears. I felt like we will be OK. We will have to fight and be vigilant, but we are the majority and we can win."

We are not defeated, we are not powerless and we are not alone.

For me, the march was personal. Yes, I’m a white, middle class woman but like so many here, I’m still an immigrant. I marched to support those who don’t have my privilege, to stand beside them shoulder-to-shoulder all the way. Equal means equal. Ever since the election I’ve felt numb. Disheartened by daily scandals, endless fake news stories and straight-up lies – now rebranded as ‘alt-facts’ by Trump’s team – the reality of the marches felt like someone had shaken me awake. We are not defeated, we are not powerless and we are not alone.

Advertisement

As someone who spends the majority of her days sitting alone in front of a laptop, it was beyond surreal to be suddenly faced with three quarters of a million people. It’s one thing to see a tweet go viral, it’s another to see humanity physically stand up and be counted. I stood in a city where no one walks and watched everyone march. It felt like the beginning of something and for the first time in two and a half months, I have hope.